George William Eve, RE (1855-1914[1]) was an English etcher, who designed bookplates and also several important British stamps. He was an authority on heraldry, a member of the Heralds' College, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers and Engravers and a member of the Art Workers' Guild. When the Painter-Etchers and Engravers required a new diploma, it was Eve who was chosen from amongst their ranks to create it.[2]
Given his background, it is not surprising that most of Eve's work was armorial in nature and black on white. Only later in life, in conjunction with Mr F.G. House, did he begin to experiment with more pictorial forms, but he died before this could be developed very far.[3] In addition to the bookplates and stamps mentioned below, Eve designed a number of invitations to important civic events, material for the Welsh Investiture, shields and gesso decorations for the Earl of Mar and Kellie's Alloa House, Clackmannanshire, and many other items. On his death, Eve left a widow, Mary Ellen, and one son.[4]
- ^ Viner, George H. (1916) A descriptive catalogue of the bookplates designed and etched by George W. Eve, R.E. Kansas City: The American Bookplate Society, p. 13.
- ^ Viner, 1916, p. 7.
- ^ Viner, 1916, p. 5.
- ^ Viner, 1916, pp. 14-15.